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Cultivate Vegetables!

Cultivate Vegetables!

This poster titled Cultivate Vegetables! was made in Moscow in 1930 by the AChR, or the Association of Revolutionary Artists. Artists, writers, play-writes and other propagandists thrived in the Soviet Union due to the growing demand from leaders to influence ideas into the society. Artists used visual art such as this poster to support their socialist realism ideas. Sometimes artists would get into trouble depicting figures or events in a negative light, but often this negative depiction shaped the public’s opinion about the system that the Soviets wanted through realism.

The image shows the factories where the new industrial and working society was growing, and smoke coming out of the chimneys of the plants as they forge ahead. The use of an active city with bridges, ships on the river, and trucks going in and out are examples of advancements in technology and the prosperity that the new Soviet Union had because of industrialization.

Some may question why growing vegetables in the fields near the factories was an important image to use for propaganda. With industrialization becoming more important many farms were empty and agriculture began to decline. By using Cultivate Vegetables! people can see that growing food was just as important for the growth of the country as was the workers in the city. Women are also seen in the fields, illustrating their importance to the cause. Many men would be used for their strength in the plants and hard labor, while women could grow food and look after the children. Trucks are drawn bringing the vegetables into the city, which is directing the audience of the poster to see the direct correlation between cultivating farmland and sending it into the city to help with food shortages. This poster represents everyone in the society helping by either growing food or working in the factories. It helped to make agricultural workers feel as important as others who worked in this new industrial driven society.

Along with focusing on industry and labor increases in the factories and cities, the leaders attempted to mold a sense of Soviet identity and patriotism. This poster is similar to U.S. posters during both World Wars where community growing and victory gardens at home were emphasized to show your loyalty and support for the country and military. As important propaganda the advertisements and posters would try to gain food support from citizens that were not able to send money or join the army. In the Soviet Union at the time there were farmer shortages due to most citizens moving into the city to work in the factories, and food shortages were always threatening soldiers and societies during times of war. This poster can be used to shape the public’s image about their aid and help toward the country, by continuing to make agriculture an important part of society during growth and times of troubles.